Device for receiving a foot or boot on a sports apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device for receiving a foot or a boot on a sports apparatus, such as a snowboard, the device including a support element adapted to be arranged between the sole of the foot or boot and the apparatus. The support element includes a first portion, a second portion, and an arrangement to adjust the position of the first portion with respect to the second portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 05.12993, filed on Dec. 20, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for receiving a foot or a boot onto a sports apparatus, and more specifically to a device provided with a support element located between the sole of the foot or the boot sole and the apparatus.

More specifically, the invention relates to devices of the aforementioned type used for the practice of snowboarding, snow or water skiing, snowshoeing, roller-skating, or the like.

2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

Generally speaking, the support element for the rider during use of an apparatus such as any of those mentioned above, affects the steering of the apparatus, because the support element transmits steering forces/impulses or sensory information between the foot or the boot and the apparatus. The support element, therefore, must have specific characteristics.

For example, due to its size or location, the support element must render the receiving device compatible with a user's foot or boot. In particular, the device and its support element must be adapted to the size of the foot or the boot.

The support element can also be provided to have a customized portion to carry out a particular function. This portion must act in a specific area of the foot or boot. Therefore, the support element must be arranged on the receiving device so that the customized portion can fulfill its function.

In the field of snowboarding, it is known to adjust the position of the support element of a receiving device, i.e., to adjust the position of the boot support element of the binding. More particularly, the support element is longitudinally positioned without protruding or being set back with respect to the sole of the boot. The adjustability enables the size of the boot to be taken into account. If the support element has a customized portion, such as a wedge, pad, or other expedient to amplify steering impulses, it is important that it be positioned in the area of one end of the boot. The wedge is then located directly above the toe or directly above the area of the heel, i.e., such as a toe pad or a heel pad. Two such support members can be provided.

The prior art has proposed solutions to adapt a receiving device, or binding, to the size of the foot or boot and/or to adjust the position of a support element of the device/binding.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,114 discloses a receiving device, i.e., a snowboard binding, more particularly, having a baseplate and a support element associated together to receive a foot or a boot. Adjustability is provided in the longitudinal position of the support element with respect to the baseplate. The particular means disclosed therefor includes a specific surface provided on the support element, a complementary surface, provided on the baseplate, open cavities provided in the support element, on the one hand, and in the baseplate, on the other hand, as well as screws which extend through the support element and the baseplate to be housed in respective nuts.

A drawback of the receiving device according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,114 lies in its complex structure. Indeed, its constituent parts are numerous and some of them are complicated to manufacture.

Furthermore, the device according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,114 requires a time-consuming and difficult adjustment. Indeed, at least one tool is required to turn the screw. Another tool is usually required to immobilize the nut while the screw is being turned. Furthermore, the tools are applied on opposite surfaces of the baseplate. It is therefore necessary for the device not only to have been first detached from the board on which it is used, but also to be held in order to use the tools

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention simplifies the structure and the manufacture of a receiving device having a support element, in the case in which it is required to adapt the device to the size of the shoe or foot of the user.

The invention also simplifies the adjustment of the support element position with respect to other portions of the device.

In addition, the invention facilitates the positioning of a customized portion of the support element in a specific area of the device.

To this end, the invention proposes a device for receiving a foot or a boot on a sports apparatus, the device including a support element intended to be located between the sole of the foot or the boot and the apparatus.

The support element of the invention includes a first portion, a second portion, and an arrangement to adjust the position of the first portion with respect to the second portion.

The adjustment arrangement enables the adjustment of the position of one of the support element portions with respect to the other. This makes it possible to vary the configuration of the support element in order to adapt it to a dimension or to a desired function. For example, the support element can be lengthened or shortened according to the size of the boot or foot, or one portion can be arranged in a selected location. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a complicated connection between a baseplate and a support portion. A resulting advantage is simplification in the structure and the manufacture of the receiving device. Another advantage is a simplified adjustment of the position of a support element portion, especially due to its accessibility.

In a particular embodiment, the invention is directed to a snowboard having a baseplate, a pair of longitudinally extending flanges to demarcate a zone for receiving a boot, and a highback articulated relative to the baseplate for supporting the rear of the rider's lower leg. The support element includes an arrangement for connection to the baseplate, as well as an arrangement for adjusting the relative positions of first and second portions of the support plate, both without the need of a tool and both without the need of screws or other threaded fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings showing, by way of non-limiting embodiments, how the invention can be embodied, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective top view of a receiving device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section along the line II-II of FIG. 1, for a case in which the elements of the device are assembled;

FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of a support element of the device, for a case in which first and second portions of the support element are separated;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of the support element of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the bottom of the support element;

FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of the support element of FIG. 5, for a case in which one portion of the support element is displaced with respect to the other;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section, similar to FIG. 6, for a case in which two portions of the support element are affixed to one another;

FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of a receiving device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section extending through a support element along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the support element of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross section extending through a support element along the line XI-XI of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the embodiments of the invention described hereinafter are more particularly related to the field of snowboarding, it is to be understood that they also apply to other fields, such as those mentioned above.

The first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, a receiving device 1 temporarily receives a boot (not shown) on a board 2. The receiving device 1 is part of a snowboard binding.

In a known manner, the receiving device 1 includes a baseplate 3, which extends longitudinally between a rear end 4 and a front end 5.

The baseplate 3 includes a receiving surface 6 adapted to face the sole of the boot, and a supporting surface 7 adapted to face the board 2 and to be supported thereon.

The baseplate 3 is secured to the board 2 by means of a mounting assembly consisting of a plurality of parts. Such plurality includes, e.g., a disk 10 and a plurality of screws 11, the disk being secured to the board 2 by means the screws 11, as shown. Such a mounting assembly can include additional parts within the scope of the invention and can take the forms, e.g., of either of U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,283 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,152, both commonly owned herewith, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference thereto in their entireties. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the disk 10 is provided with slots 12 through which the screws 11 extend, the screws being threaded into the board (or into complementary-threaded elements embedded in the board). For example, four slots 12 are provided for four screws 11, the screws being arranged at the four corners of a square, for example. The slots 12 are parallel to one another to allow for a translational adjustment of the position of the disk 10 with respect to the board 2.

A different number of screws and slots can be provided within the scope of the invention. For example, three screws could be arranged at the vertices of an equilateral triangle and three slots could be provided.

Mere holes arranged in the disk are sufficient for the providing the retention function for the baseplate, but the advantage of slots, as shown, is that they offer the possibility of adjusting the position of the baseplate.

Other mechanisms for retaining the baseplate on the board could be provided, as alternatives to those mentioned.

The baseplate 3 is laterally bordered by a lateral flange 13 and a medial flange 14. Each of the flanges 13, 14 forms a lateral portion or a medial portion, respectively, of the device 1 to demarcate a zone 15 for receiving the boot. Once the boot is in position on the device 1, the flanges 13, 14 extend along respective opposite sides of the sole of the boot. Alternatively, the lateral and medial portions of the baseplate could be formed by something other than the flanges 13, 14. For example, mere lateral and medial abutments, perhaps formed in one piece with the baseplate, could be used.

In a particular embodiment, the baseplate 3 and the flanges 13, 14 are made as a one-piece, or unitary, element, made of synthetic material, for example. However, the flanges could be elements separate from the baseplate and affixed to the baseplate by any of several alternative means, such as glue, welds, screws, nesting, or by other expedients or methods.

The device 1 also includes a rear support element 20, or highback, that enables the user to be supported rearwardly at the lower leg and to apply rearward pressure thereto.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the rear support element 20 is associated with the flanges 13, 14 by means of an articulation 21 or pivot connection, for example. The articulation 21 is oriented substantially along a transverse axis 22 of the device 1. The articulation 21 can include any component, such as a screw, a rivet, a washer, a screw nut, a swivel pin, or the like.

The articulation 21 enables the rear support element 20 to be moved toward the baseplate 3. A resulting advantage is that storage of the binding is thereby facilitated.

The rear support element 20 could also be directly associated with the baseplate 3. The rear support element 20 could also be directly affixed to the apparatus directly, in this case, to the board 2. It only has to be positioned on the apparatus to allow the application of rear support forces with the lower leg.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, an abutment 23 limits the rearward rotation of the rear support element 20.

In a non-limiting manner, the abutment 23 includes a cable 24 that extends around the rear support element 20.

Any other structure for providing an abutment for limiting rearward movement of the rear support element 20 could be used. For example, the abutment could include a connecting arch, such as a rigid arch, between the flanges 13, 14 in order to oppose a rearward movement of the rear support element.

Two linkages are also provided to removably retain the boot on the baseplate 3, between the flanges 13, 14 in the receiving zone 15.

A first linkage 30, or strap, is located at the front, in the area of the metatarsophalangeal articulation zone of the foot when the foot is being retained on the device. A second linkage 31, or strap, is located towards the back, in the area of the instep when the foot is retained.

Each of the linkages 30, 31 extends transversely between the flanges 13, 14 and, in the exemplary illustrated embodiment, are connected to the flanges 13, 14.

A different number of linkages could be provided in alternative embodiments within the scope of the invention.

The receiving device 1 also includes a support element 32, which is provided to be arranged between the sole of the foot or the boot and the sports apparatus, or snowboard, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the support element 32 is adapted to cover the entire baseplate 3 and to extend in the entire receiving zone 15. To do so, the support element 32 extends lengthwise between a rear end 33 and a front end 34, widthwise between a lateral edge 35 and a medial edge 36, and thicknesswise between a receiving surface 37 and a support surface 38. The receiving surface 37 is adapted to receive a foot or a boot, the support surface 38 being adapted to face the baseplate 3 and to take support on the latter and on the board 2, directly or indirectly.

The support element 32 thus constitutes an interface between almost the entirety of the sole of the boot and the baseplate 3. A resulting advantage is that it provides the boot or the foot with continuous stability, i.e., stability along the entire length of the boot or foot.

The support element 32 also covers the disk 10. This protects the disk 10, the screws 11 and the slots 12 from damage. For example, the support element 32 prevents the slots 12 from being partially or entirely blocked by foreign matter. In the case of a snowboard, especially, the support element 32 protects from snow, ice, and miscellaneous debris, such as dirt, gravel, etc.

According to the invention, as seen in FIGS. 1 to 7, the support element 32 includes a first portion 51, a second portion 52, and an arrangement for adjusting the position of the first portion 51 with respect to the second portion 52.

The adjustment arrangement allows the position, such as the longitudinal position, of one of the portions 51, 52 to be adjusted with respect to the other. The support 32 therefore has a variable configuration. Thus, it is possible to adapt the device to a foot or a boot as a function of at least certain characteristics, such as the length, or even the width or thickness, without modifying other parameters on the device.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the first portion 51 of the support element 32 includes a front piece 53. The front piece 53 includes a rear end 54 and a front end 55, a lateral edge 56 and a medial edge 57, as well as a receiving surface 58 and a support surface 59. The receiving surface 58 of the front piece 53 forms a subdivision of the receiving surface 37 of the support element 32. The front end 55 of the front piece 53 is merged with, i.e., is identical with, the front end 34 of the support element 32.

The second portion 52 of the support element 32 includes a rear piece 65 and a bridge 66. The rear piece 65 of the second portion of the support element and the bridge 66 are made as a one-piece, or unitary, member. Alternatively, the rear piece 65 and the bridge 66 could be made as an assembly of two or more members, connected together by means of any technique known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

The second portion 52 of the support element 32 includes a rear end 67 and a front end 68, a lateral edge 69 and a medial edge 70, as well as a receiving surface 71 and a support surface 72. The receiving surface of the second portion 52, which extends along the rear piece 65 and the bridge 66, is a subdivision of the receiving surface 37 of the support element 32. The rear end 67 of the rear piece 65 is the same as the rear end 3 of the support element 32.

The arrangement for adjusting the relative positions of the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 functions according to the male/female assembly principle. For this purpose, the adjustment arrangement includes a mechanism for guiding the first portion 51 with respect to the second portion 52. The guiding mechanism of the adjustment arrangement includes a projection 80, or tongue, extending from the bridge 66, as well as a housing 81 arranged in the front piece 53 of the support element 32. The projection 80 and the housing 81 have complementary shapes, respectively, to allow for the sliding of one within the other. Consequently, the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 can move toward or away from one another, as is further described below.

The projection 80 extends longitudinally from the front end 68. The projection 80, the bridge 66, and the rear piece 65 form a unitary element, i.e., a one-piece element. The projection 80 is shown to have a U-shaped transverse cross section, but any other cross-sectional shape can be used within the scope of the invention.

The housing 81 is arranged on the side of the support surface 59 of the front piece 53. The housing 81 is demarcated by a contoured block 82, the shape of which, a * U-shape in this case, is complementary to that of the projection 80. The housing 81 opens out toward the rear end 54 of the front piece 53. The contoured block 82 and the front piece 53 form a unitary, one-piece element.

As mentioned above, the projection 80 and the housing 81 contribute to the longitudinal guiding of the first portion 51 of the support element 32 with respect to the second portion 52.

The adjustment arrangement includes a mechanism for immobilizing the first portion 51 with respect to the second portion 52. Such immobilizing mechanism includes, for example, recesses 83 that are provided in the bridge 66 as well as pins 84 extending from the support surface 59 of the front piece 53. The recesses 83 are adapted to cooperate with the pins 84, as explained below.

The recesses 83 are arranged in transverse rows in the vicinity of the front end 68 of the second portion 52.

For example, two rows of four recesses are provided in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. However, alternatively, a different number of rows, particularly more than two, could be provided. Each row includes four recesses 83, for example, although such number could also vary to be less than or greater than four. In fact, at least one recess is needed per transverse section.

In correlation with the recesses 83, one or several transverse rows of pins 84 are provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the front piece 53. The space between the pins 84 allows for their insertion into the recesses 83.

In a non-limiting manner, the recesses 83 extend through the bridge 66 and the pins 84 form a unitary, one-piece, element with the front piece 53. Alternative constructions are also possible within the scope of the invention.

The positioning of the first portion 51 with respect to the second portion. 52 is explained more specifically by with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

The portions 51, 52 are arranged so as to form an angle with respect to one another. The projection 80 is then inserted in the housing 81. Finally, the portions are displaced so that the projection 80 slides inside the housing until a row of pins 84 faces a row of recesses 83. The portions are then arranged so as to be parallel to one another, with the pins being housed in the recesses.

The pins 84 each have a shape enabling them to be retained in the recesses 83. They can be retained by being force-fitted therein, by having one-way ratchet-like structures, or the like. Any shape of pin can be used for this purpose, such as a catch having a narrow base and an enlarged split, or non-split head.

The adjustment of the position of the first portion 51 with respect to the second portion 52 can be carried out easily, i.e., manually without any tool, i.e., without the need for a screwdriver or wrench, for example.

Further, for the sake of simplicity, an arrangement to assemble the support element 32 to the baseplate 3 without the need for any tool has also been provided. The support element 32 can therefore be easily and quickly assembled to or separated from the baseplate 3. Ease of care and quick access to the adjustment screws 11 of the disk 10 are some of the resulting advantages.

As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the assembly arrangement includes female and male elements arranged so as to removably retain the support element 32 on the baseplate 3.

The female elements are in the form of slots or openings 94, 95, 96, 97 which extend thicknesswise through the support element 32. Two rear slots 94, 95 are located substantially at the junction of the rear piece 65 with the bridge 66. Two front slots 96, 97 are located substantially at the front of the bridge 66.

The male elements are shown in the illustrated exemplary embodiment as lugs 98, 99, 100, 101 arranged on the baseplate 3, the lugs 98, 99, 100, 101 being provided to be nested in the slots 94, 95, 96, 97 of the support element 32. For example, two rear lugs 98, 99 project from the baseplate 3, in the area of the rear end 4. Two front lugs 100, 101 project from the baseplate 3, in the area of the front end 5.

A reverse arrangement is possible within the scope of the invention. The support element could include lugs and the baseplate can have notches to receive the lugs. Similarly, the number of slots, notches, and lugs on each side can vary within the scope of the invention.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the receiving surface 37 of the support element 32 is a substantially smooth surface, which makes cleaning easier. It can also be provided with surface that is not smooth or that is designed to increase the friction coefficient with the boot.

Complementarily, the rear piece 65 and the front piece 53 have a rear cover 110 and a front cover 111, respectively, each opened on the side of the support surface 38. A rear cushion 112 and a front cushion 113 are housed within the covers 110, 111 of the front and rear pieces 65, 53, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, each cushion, 112, 113 projects with respect to the cover 110, 111 so as to be in direct contact with the board 2. The cushions 112, 113 dampen the impacts received from the board or impulses transmitted while steering the board 2. Each cushion 112, 113, can be made of, or include, a flexible and/or elastic synthetic material, such as polyurethane or polyethylene foam, or any similar material suitable for the purpose provided by the cushions.

The second embodiment of the invention is presented hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. For simplification purposes, only the specific characteristics of this embodiment are shown, although the structure and function of the second embodiment can be understood with the foregoing description as a preface.

The second embodiment, like the first, also includes a receiving device 131 having a baseplate 132, a disk 133, a lateral flange 134, a medial flange 135, a rear support element 136, a first linkage 137, and a second linkage 138.

The device 131 also features a first support element 151, or front support element, located toward the front of the baseplate 132. By analogy, the device 131 also has a second support element 152, or rear support element, located toward the rear of the baseplate 132. None of the support elements 151, 152 cover the central portion of the baseplate located between the front and the rear, or the disk 133. The disk remains visible and accessible when the support elements are positioned on the device.

According to the invention, at least one of the support elements 151, 152 has a first portion 161, a second portion 162, and an arrangement for adjusting the position of the first portion 161 with respect to the second portion 162.

In this case, it is the front support element 151 that has two portions. However, it could be for the rear support element 152 instead, or both.

The adjustment arrangement has, for example, complementary shapes that are arranged on the portions 161, 162 in order to adjust the relative positions of such portions.

The first portion 161 thus presents transverse notches 163 arranged along transverse directions. The second portion 162 has transverse extensions 164, arranged along transverse directions and adapted to be nested in the notches 163 of the first portion.

Two rows of notches and one row of extensions have been provided. Two relative positions of the portions 161, 162 are thus provided. Once again, the configuration of the support element 151 can vary within the scope of the invention. This makes it possible, for example, to adjust the device 131 to the size of the user's foot or boot.

Other structures for the adjustment arrangement can also be suitable within the scope of the invention. It is possible, for example, to use a lug, a housing, recesses, and pins as in the first embodiment.

The invention can be made of materials and with implementation techniques known to one having ordinary skill in the art.

The invention is not limited to the particular details of the embodiments described above, but rather encompasses all of the technical equivalents which can be included within the scope of the claims that follow.

For example, a support element can be structured so that its width can vary.

Further, a first portion can be provided to include a front piece and a bridge, and a second portion to include a rear piece. In such a case, the arrangement for adjusting the relative position of the portions is arranged at the rear of the disk.

In addition, although more than two rows of recesses and/or pins, such as rows of recesses 83 and/or pins 84, can be provided for increasing the number of discrete adjustments in the relative positioning of the front and rear pieces of the support element, the spacing between such rows can be varied, i.e., increased or decreased, although the spacing chosen can be any particular distance. In this regard, within the scope of the invention the distance between rows of pins and/or recesses can be equal to the difference between one or more standard shoe sizes, i.e., such as the difference between one or more successive sizes of shoes and boots marketed in the United States, such as U.S. sizes, U.K. sizes, European sizes, Mondopoint (mm) or Centimeter (cm) sizes. As an example, such a distance could be equal to or greater than the difference between a men's U.S. size 10 shoe and a men's U.S. size 10½ shoe or equal to or greater than the difference between a men s U.S. size 10 shoe and a men's U.S. size 11 shoe. Alternatively, the spacing between rows of recesses and/or pins can be 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, or 2.0 cm, or the spacing could be even greater, whereby in a first position, the length of the support plate accommodates a first range of shoe sizes and, in a second adjusted position, the length of the support plate accommodates a second range of shoe sizes.

Still further, although the pins 84 can have a particular shape so that they can be retained within their respective recessed 83, it is also within the scope of the invention for the pins 84 to have a shape, such as a purely cylindrical shape, i.e., non-headed, so that they are merely positioned within the recesses 83, such as circular holes, so that they are retained horizontally, but so that they do not provide vertical retention. In such an embodiment, the vertical retention of the first and second portions 51, 52 of the support element can be provided by the projection 80 and block 82 and/or other structures. 

1. A device for receiving a foot or a boot on a sports apparatus, the device comprising: a support element adapted to be arranged between a sole of the foot or the boot and the apparatus, the support element comprising: a first portion; a second portion; an arrangement for adjusting a position of the first portion relative to the second portion.
 2. A receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: the first portion comprises a front piece; the second portion comprises a rear piece and a bridge.
 3. A receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: the arrangement for adjusting the first portion relative to the second portion comprises: a mechanism for guiding the first portion relative to the second portion; and a mechanism for immobilizing the first portion with respect to the second portion.
 4. A receiving device according to claim 3, wherein: the guiding mechanism comprises a projection extending from the bridge, as well as a housing provided in the front piece for receiving the projection.
 5. A receiving device according to claim 3, wherein: the immobilization mechanism comprises recesses provided in the bridge, as well as pins extending from the front piece.
 6. A receiving device according to claim 2, wherein: the rear piece comprises a rear cover and a rear cushion housed within the rear cover; the front piece comprises a front cover and a front cushion housed with the front cover.
 7. A receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: a receiving surface of the support element has a substantially smooth surface.
 8. A receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising: a mechanism for assembling the support element to a baseplate of the device manually, without using a tool.
 9. A receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising: a mechanism for assembling the support element to a baseplate of the device manually, using neither a tool nor a threaded, fastener.
 10. A receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: the support element is a front support element or a rear support element.
 11. A receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising: a baseplate; a lateral flange and a medial flange, said flanges extending upwardly from the baseplate; and a rear support element for supporting a rear of a user's leg.
 12. A receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: the arrangement for adjusting a position of the first portion relative to the second portion comprises an arrangement for adjusting a longitudinal position of the first portion relative to the second portion.
 13. A receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: the arrangement for adjusting a position of the first portion relative to the second portion of the support element comprises an arrangement for lengthening or shortening a length of the support element by one or more increments equal to the difference between one or more standard shoe sizes.
 14. A snowboard binding comprising: a baseplate; a longitudinally extending lateral flange extending upwardly from a first side of the baseplate, and a longitudinally extending medial flange extending upwardly from a second side of the baseplate; a highback adapted to support a rear of a lower leg of a rider, said highback being articulated relative to the baseplate; a support element positioned over the baseplate, said support element having a receiving surface adapted to support a foot or a boot on the binding; the support element comprising: a first portion; a second portion; an arrangement for adjusting a longitudinal position of the first portion relative to the second portion to adapt the binding to boots or feet of different lengths.
 15. A snowboard binding according to claim 14, wherein: the support element has a length sufficient to cover an entirety of a length of the baseplate.
 16. A snowboard binding according to claim 14, wherein: the support element and the baseplate comprise complementary structures to connect the support element to the baseplate without using a tool and without using a threaded fastener.
 17. A snowboard binding according to claim 14, further comprising: a binding mounting assembly for securing the binding to a snowboard, said binding mounting assembly consisting of a plurality of parts; wherein the arrangement for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element comprises an arrangement for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element while the snowboard is mounted on the snowboard without adjusting a position of any of said plurality of parts of said binding mounting assembly.
 18. A snowboard binding according to claim 17, wherein: the arrangement for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element further comprises an arrangement for manually adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element without using a tool.
 19. A snowboard binding according to claim 18, wherein: the arrangement for manually adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element without using a tool comprises complementary structures on the support element and baseplate for connecting the support element to the baseplate.
 20. A snowboard binding according to claim 16, wherein: the arrangement for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first portion of the support element relative to the second portion of the support element while the snowboard is mounted on the snowboard without adjusting a position of any of said plurality of parts of said binding mounting assembly comprises complementary structures on the support element and baseplate for connecting the support element to the baseplate.
 21. A snowboard binding according to claim 19, wherein: said complementary structures comprise a plurality of male elements and a plurality of female elements.
 22. A snowboard binding according to claim 20, wherein: said complementary structures comprise a plurality of male elements and a plurality of female elements.
 23. A snowboard binding according to claim 14, wherein: the arrangement for adjusting a position of the first portion relative to the second portion of the support element comprises an arrangement for lengthening or shortening a length of the support element by one or more increments equal to or greater than the difference between one or more standard shoe sizes. 